Seattle Parks
When you think of a city, you probably think of concrete, skyscrapers, and traffic. Most likely, you do not think of forests, beaches, and wildlife sanctuaries. However, Seattle has plenty of exceptionally beautiful parks that can make you forget that you are in a major city.
Seattle has hundreds of parks. Some of them are very small; the Thomas St. Mini-Park, for example, is only .25 acres. But even these small parks are very popular for people wanting to relax, play with their dogs, or even sunbathe. And because these mini-parks are so common in Seattle, city dwellers can always escape from the concrete jungle.
Other Seattle parks are much larger; the Discovery Park is over 530 acres! Seattle’s largest park, Discovery Park serves as a sanctuary for wildlife and city dwellers alive. At 350 acres, the Warren G. Magnuson Park is Seattle’s second largest park and was once a naval base. Anyone visiting this historical park should make sure to see the Freedom Tree, a 60-foot deodar that was dedicated to prisoners of war and soldiers missing in action in 1972. The park’s Community Campus is also the home of several Navy buildings that were built during the 1930’s and 1940’s.
Seattle’s Seward Park covers almost 300 acres. This beautiful park features both old growth forest and beaches. During the summer, life guards are on duty and free beginners swimming lessons are offered to children. Seward Park also has trails for bikers, walkers, and hikers, and art enthusiasts will appreciate the park’s art studio and amphitheater.
Other Seattle parks offer beaches or forests, although unlike Seward Park, most do not offer both. Matthews Beach Park is the largest freshwater bathing beach in Seattle. Pritchard Island Beach, Alki Beach, and Lowman Beach are other great destinations for sand and water lovers. Schmitz Preserve Park, Lakeridge Park, and Ravenna Park all offer delightful hiking trails through beautiful forest. Ravenna Park includes a couple of large bridges that provide breathtaking views of the surrounding area.
In addition to the natural forests, Seattle also offers a number of gardens. The Kubota Park has features gardens with a mix of Japanese and Northwest influences, and the Volunteer Park Conservatory has a number of interesting plants, including the notorious corpse flower. The Washington Park Arboretum covers 230 acres and displays thousands of different plant species, including 139 plant species that are on the endangered species list. The Washington Park Arboretum is also the home of the beautiful Japanese Gardens.
Seattle parks also accommodate a number of different animal species. The North Beach Park and Ravines is a forested area that is the home to at least 10 great blue heron nests, and the aforementioned Seward Park is the home to eagle nests. Me-Kwa-Mooks Park also has forested areas where birds, including screech owls, live. Across the street, at the Emma Schmitz Memorial Outlook, there are tide pools where hermit crabs, sea cucumbers, sea stars, and
other sea creatures live.
If you are simply looking for a day of play, then there are plenty of park in Seattle for you to visit. Sports enthusiasts will love the Alki Playfield and the Beacon Hill Park, both of which have tennis courts, basketball hoops, and a soccer/softball field. Many other Seattle’s parks also accommodate sports.
Several Seattle parks, including the Beacon Hill Park, the Cal Anderson Park, the East Queen Anne Playfield, and Volunteer Park, have wading pools that children can play in during the summer. Children will also enjoy Seattle’s many playgrounds; the West Queen Anne Playfield even has a merry-go-round. Volunteer Park’s play area is at the edge of the park right next to the Lake View Cemetery, Seattle’s oldest cemetery. The cemetery is fully visible from the play area, giving the park a slightly eerie atmosphere, especially when black crows are around, as they often are.
Many Seattle parks can be rented for special occasions, including school meetings and weddings. The Discovery Park’s Daybreak Star Cultural Center, which was built in Contemporary Indian Architecture style and can fit up to 300 guests, is especially well-suited for large events.
While enjoying Seattle’s parks, remember to be responsible. Seattle’s parks are a beautiful refuge from city life, but they must be kept clean and safe. The Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation is in charge of most of the parks’ maintenance, although some of the larger parks are also supported by nonprofit organizations, such as the Friends of Seward Park and the Arboretum Foundation. Donations of time and money are appreciated.
